Who we are
We empower people with information and understanding of inherited cancer to help them manage their cancer risk. We provide a supportive community for people to share their lived experience. We fight inherited cancer with knowledge, transparency, community - and most importantly…
We give people the confidence to assess their cancer risk. We offer a supportive community that is free from judgment where all experiences are acknowledged and valued.
Beyond our direct support of our community, we work collaboratively with healthcare providers to drive better patient outcomes. We advocate to government for better policies and support. We are influencing positive change across Australia.
We give people the one thing their DNA doesn’t:
Here at Inherited Cancers, we’re able to make a big impact on the lives of thousands of families every year because of the passionate and committed people who are involved in our organisation.
Our Team
Sarah Powell
Chief Executive Officer
Sarah was diagnosed with breast cancer at 29 years old and subsequently found out she has a BRCA1 mutation. With two young children who may have inherited this increased risk of cancer, she has been a passionate advocate and supporter of Inherited Cancers Australia (formerly Pink Hope) since its inception. Sarah brings a background in corporate banking and events management and being a high-risk individual herself, she knows exactly what’s important to the Inherited Cancers Australia community.
Robyn Smith
Programs and Advocacy Manager
A keen advocate for preventive health, Robyn began her connection with Inherited Cancers Australia (formerly Pink Hope) by volunteering & connecting with her local high-risk community back in 2012. She has a background in finance and more recently extensive experience in the Not-for-Profit preventative health sector. Robyn is a keen advocate for informed decision making around managing cancer risk. She is part of several research teams contributing to studies relevant to the hereditary cancer community.
Lisa Caterina
Community and Partnerships Manager
Lisa's passion lies in making a meaningful difference in the lives of families throughout their high-risk and cancer experiences. A dedicated community connector, going above and beyond to ensure high-risk women's and their families' well-being. Her expertise and understanding of the Inherited Cancers Australia community make her an integral part of the team and empower her to effectively connect and engage with partners, showcasing her commitment to community development.
Carol Leung
Digital Marketing Specialist
Carol believes in the power of storytelling and has always been passionate about creating meaningful content in the digital world. Having lost a family member to cancer, she understands the importance of being informed and supported within the community. Combining her healthcare background with her digital marketing expertise, she is well-versed in making medical information accessible through content creation. She became a part of the team in 2023 with a commitment to spreading our message far and wide.
Charlie Durazza
Events and Fundraising Coordinator
Charlie joined the team in mid-2022 after becoming a mum in February 2022. Having lost too many people around her to cancer, Charlie believes strongly in the work and education that Inherited Cancers Australia provides to their community. Charlie has a background and passion for events and is hoping through her assistance with events, the reach and impact of Inherited Cancers Australia keeps growing and evolving.
Our Board
Deborah Homewood
Board Chair
Deborah has many years of management experience in various sectors, including retail, the medical industry, and communications. She was most recently Managing Director of MAX Solutions from July 2012 until December 2022. Prior to that, Deborah was CEO of Pacnet, Australia and New Zealand, an Asian-headquartered telecommunications carrier. Deborah is currently Chair of the HR and REM committee for Smartgroup, an ASX-listed company and has been appointed as an Advocate for the G20 Alliance for Empowerment and Progression of Women’s Economic Representation.
She is also a current member of Chief Executive Women and chaired the Membership Committee of that organisation from 2010 to 2012. Deborah completed her registered nurse training at St Andrews Hospital, Queensland and holds a Master of Management from Macquarie Graduate School of Management.
John Sheehy
Board Director
John joined the Inherited Cancers Australia (formerly Pink Hope) board because he never had the chance to meet his maternal grandmother, Joyce. He wants to celebrate the legacy of the generations of family and friends we’ll never know, and those beyond the reach of our immediate circles, by helping people navigate hereditary cancer, today.
Outside Inherited Cancers Australia, John advises private and public sector clients in relation to strategy, mergers and acquisitions, risk, innovation, and management. A lawyer by profession, John is the CEO of global boutique financial and strategic advisory firm, Pottinger. He is married to Beck and has a little girl called Scarlett, who wants to be a dancer or a teacher when she grows up.
Lidia Valenzuela
Board Director
Lidia is a dedicated financial leader and has extensive expertise in finance, strategy and governance and a deeply personal understanding of the challenges faced by individuals and families affected by cancer. As part of the Inherited Cancers Australia board, she is aligned with the mission of promoting hereditary cancer awareness, education, and access to support services, with the ultimate goal of improving outcomes and quality of life for those affected by cancer.
Driven by a desire to inspire positive change, Lidia is committed to fostering collaboration and innovation within the cancer community. She believes that by working together, we can create a future where cancer is no longer feared, and every individual receives the care, support, and resources they need to thrive.
Warren Brandt
Board Director
Warren knows first-hand the profound impact hereditary cancer can have on a young family. He has supported his wife, Tarryn, through two separate breast cancer battles in her 30’s while raising their two busy young sons, Seth and Evan. These experiences, combined with similar experiences of his and Tarryn’s extended family, have cemented Warren’s steadfast belief in the importance of advocacy, advancing research, and being proactive in one’s own healthcare.
Outside of Inherited Cancers Australia, Warren is an experienced lawyer, corporate advisor, consultant, and investor, and is currently a director of Yellow Canary, a workforce compliance technology business. He is also a member of the ESG Council for Blackwattle Investment Partners, a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and a Fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia.
Our Impact
Advocacy is at the heart of what we do. We advocate to government at all levels for more awareness of inherited cancers and better support for increased-risk people and their families. We are proud to have influenced policy and created real change in this space.
How we are shaping policy
Report - Breaking the Cycle: Insights from the Inherited Cancers Australia community
Patient group feedback for the Australian Government's consultation into the use of genetic testing information in life insurance underwriting.
Roundtable discussions on metastatic cancer (breast and ovarian).
Our mission
To empower all Australians to understand and manage their inherited cancer risk by educating them about their health history, providing evidence-based resources, and connecting them to a supportive, nurturing community.
Our vision
Break the cycle of inherited cancer in Australian families.
Our Values
We're eternally curious
We are continuously learning, open to new ideas and future-focused. We create positive change for this generation and those to come.
We’re collaborative activists.
We collaborate with patients, healthcare professionals and other organisations to get things done. We only work with evidence-based information, supporting our community through generational, emotional, and financial trauma.
We're compassionate without bias.
Compassion is one of our guiding principles. We listen without passing judgement. We come from a place of understanding due to our lived experiences.
We’re positive disruptors.
We champion our community to be seen, heard, and validated. We do this by challenging societal norms and challenging ourselves to improve our impact.
Our priorities
In collaboration with our community and key medical and government stakeholders, we stand strong with our priorities to help us get to our ultimate goal.
Support
All families with inherited cancer risk are aware of Inherited Cancers Australia and can access our free support services in a safe and inclusive way.
Education
All Australians are informed and educated to understand and manage their cancer risk with clear, evidence-based guidelines.
Advocacy
Advocate for changes that create better outcomes for inherited cancer patients, ensuring they are not disadvantaged due to their risk.